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Prior relishing Windies warm-up match

England wicketkeeper-batsman Matt Prior is looking forward to getting an early view of West Indies’ bowlers this weekend.

Prior is part of a Sussex side that represents the first opposition for the tourists in a three-day match at the PROBIZ County Ground, starting tomorrow.

Ahead of the game, one of two warm-up fixtures to precede West Indies’ three-Test series against England, Prior told ecb.co.uk: “It’s a good opportunity to play against them outside of the bubble and away from the Test matches.

“It will be good to get a first look at all of their bowlers and hopefully I can get a few runs along the way as well.”

England will be strong favourites to emerge victorious when the Test action begins at Lord’s on May 17, but Prior rejected any notion of complacency within Andrew Strauss’ squad.

“We certainly won’t be underestimating West Indies,” he explained.

“They look a very tough team and I know (their coach) Ottis Gibson pretty well, he’s a very proud man and he’ll be working them very hard to make sure they put very good performances in against us.

“I’m looking forward to it, it’s going to be tough but if we play the cricket we can play we are really confident in how we can do.”

Prior enjoyed a memorable Test debut against the Windies at Lord’s five years ago, striking 126 not out in the first innings.

“I hadn’t really thought about it to be honest, until someone mentioned it to me the other day,” he added.

“I suppose there’s a bit of nostalgia there and what not - it would be nice if it could go the same way.”

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